EverymanTri.com

Video: Why we smim, bike and run?

This new Spanish Triathlon video by Raúl Casaña explores why triathletes swim, bike and run.

What makes this video a standout amoung the thousands of triathlon videos that are uploaded to YouTube each week is the beautiful photography and scenery of the Spanish countryside.

The video's title is "Why we Run?" and of course Raul explains this during the video, but to be honest if we could train each day in such a beautiful sun-soaked country, we'd run just to take in the views. Check it out below.

New German Triathlon team formed around 7-time IM champ Timo Bracht

European online retailer 21run.com unveiled its new triathlon team today, formed around Germany’s Timo Bracht the 7 time Ironman champion and 5th place finisher at the 2011 Ironman World Championships in Kona.

Joining Bracht on the team will be former commerzbank team mate, Ironman Florida winner and runner up at Ironman Germany in Frankfurt last year, Jan Raphael, as well as Horst Reichel and Georg Potrebitsch.

Head coach and sports director of the new team will be coach Ralf Elbi with entrepreneur businessman Jorg Mayer taking on the role of team manager. Physitherapist Dirk Lederer and mechanic Gerhard Paris round off the team.

In addition to the main sponsor of 21run.com, profile design an 21cycles.com support the new team. Individual athletes are allowed further sponsors (or “friends”) as in Garmin for Timo Bracht and Gothia financial group for Horst Reichel.

“We will be announcing more sponsors and more athletes friends in the next few weeks” said manager Jorg Mayer “the interest is very high!”

Ever wonder what it is like to take a VO2 Max test? We find out

If you've been to any triathlon, duathlon, running race, spinning class or masters group swim, you can't escape the term "VO2 max".

What's a test really like?  Lucky for you readers, my pain is your gain.

I knew it was a dastardly as everyone fears when during setup, the doctor and student said, "here's a towel that we can use to wipe up the drool.  You'll need it."  What?

Now that's my kind of torture!  You will sweat.  You will drool.  You will not get as far as you think you can.  You will lose chest hair if you are a guy not shaving your chest.  Maybe some women, too, but that's a different topic for another day.

It all starts with reading the test outline, going over medical history and signing the consent form.  I think I heard the phrase; "you can stop the test at any time" uttered 20 times throughout the experience.  Very comforting.

Breaking News: WTC puts a formal end to triathlon distance discrimination ;-)

For too long now Olympic distance triathletes have been shut out of racing the longer half and full Ironman triathlons. 

Of course the same held true for the champions of the longer IM races going Olympic or even Sprint.

But not any more, today the World Triathlon Corporation announced that the 2011 winners of the Hy-Vee 5150 U.S. Championship, Ironman World Championship 70.3 and Ironman World Championship will each recieve an invite to all three championships putting an end to championship triathlon distance discrimination once and for all ;-)

Video: British pro Triathletes Helen Jenkins and Hollie Avil talk triathlon on lacation in Lanzarote

This new video is pretty unsubtle promo for Speedo, but it's also fun to watch British pro Triathletes Helen Jenkins and Hollie Avil talk triathlon and pass along some great trainig tips from such a beautiful location. Check it out.

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Update: Readers comments mostly positive of new HITS Triathlon Series

Earlier this week we wrote THIS brief story about the new HITS Triathlon series. This past weekend only 17 triathletes completed the Iron Distance race in Naples, Florida. We tip our hats to the 17 triathletes who were out there by themselves. That must have been a very long, and lonely run in the setting Florida sun.

Two of readers who completed one of the 5 different distances races commented on their day. We like their comments and we think anyone considering doing the race series this year would appreciate their first hand insight. 

James Lawrence  (who was one of th 17 triathletes who completed the Iron Distance race) writes:

Video of the Day: German Olympic Triathlete Jan Frodeno shows how the sausage is made

On race day "you don't get to see the blood and the sweat that happens in all of the months leading up to the season," according to German Olympic Champion triathlete Jan Frodeno. In this video he shows you how the championship sausage is made.

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A Iron distance race that doesn't require an Iron wallet

The sport of triathlon is on the rise.  EMT posted a few weeks ago about the increase in USAT memberships and race participants across the board.  Will supply meet demand?
 
Most WTC Ironman distance races sell out hours, if not minutes, of registration opening up.  If you aren't lucky enough to get in the race you want, you could always defer to a tougher IM event course that does not sell out, where you may break your body or spirit before you reach the finish line.  If you're looking to race your first IM distance, that may not be the best choice.
 
WTC is adding events left and right, and they sell out as soon as registration opens up.  IM New York?  Good luck getting a spot for 2013.  What's a dedicated triathlete to do when you can't get in the registration line, or worse, cannot afford to sign up and manage travel to an event?

Congrats to EMT contributors Ben & Dave for making the 2012 Timex Tri Team

As of today Ben Greenfield and Dave Erickson are now officially on the 2012 Timex Triathlon Team. Check out the complete Timex 2012 team roster HERE.

We're thrilled to have two of our very own writers and video reporters succeed in following their triathlon dreams, and getting one step closer to the top of the podium.

Both Ben and Dave have been long time and greatly valued professional EMT contributors, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have them selected to the 2012 Timex Triathlon Team

Congratulation Gentlemen!

You guys are going to rock the 2012 Triathlon race Calendar.

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World's oldest triathlete took up the sport 22-years ago

Meet Arthur Gilber.

Arthur is retired and unlike many people his age this British triathlete spends his days doing charity work and yes swimming, cycling and running.

"I raise money for Musgrove Leukaemic Group Somerset which is really close to my heart. People are really generous and I really appreciate all their support," said Gilber.

Did we forget to mention that Arthur is 90-years-old making him mostly likely the world's oldest racing triathlete.  

The former helicopter engineer is also a seven time British duathlon champion.

"I must be the world’s oldest triathlete - I’ve never met anyone else still doing it at my age. I started taking it all seriously when I was 68 - I was a bit late getting started so I’ve spent the years ever since then trying to make up for it," said Gilber."

Video: And the most inspirational triathlon commercial of the year is....

This Sheels (shoe store) commercial took us completely by surprise.

Normally the most inspirational commercial of the year is THIS one for the 2011 Ironman World Championships.

But this year, and perhaps because we've "been there and done that" so many times with the formulaic NBC coverage of the Kona Ironman World Championships...we think that the triathlon commercial (below) is this year's most inspirational tri commercial.

The best part of this video is that for almost 90 percent of the commercial, you don't really even know that it is a commercial. It could just be story of your triathlon training life.

Check it out for yourself below to see if you agree.

Desiree Ficker (the EMT Sexiest Triathlete of 2008) retires from triathlon

35-year-old Desiree Ficker has officially hung up her cycling shoes and swimming googles in favor of her running shoes.

The 2006 Hawaii Ironman World Championship second place finisher began her triathlon career in 1999. In her first year as a triathlete she qualified for Kona and her triathlon career was launched.

But running has always been Ficker's strength and love.

"My first love has always been running,” said Ficker who in 2008 was named by our readers as the Sexiest Triathlete of the Year.

"I began running at a very young age and I really want to see how fast I can get if I gave it my full attention. And I simply couldn’t do that if I was still training for the triathlon," she added.

According to RunTex.com:

"Always a strong runner, Ficker qualified for the 2008 US Olympic Marathon Trials by running 2:40:28 at the ’07 Austin Marathon in only her second open marathon, just three weeks after PR’ed in the 3M Half in 1:14:07. But in Boston at the Olympic Trials, she finished a disappointing 79^th in 2:48:11.

Video: The Ultimate Stocking Stuffers for the Triathlete Runner in your life (part 3)

It's not always easy to bundle up and brave the elements during the off-season but I believe the items below will help.  And as always, most of these items should fit into your Christmas sock over the fireplace.  Happy holidays.

Here's the final piece to your swimming, cycling and running stocking stuffer list for that multisport athlete in the family this holiday season.  I put together this gift idea list based around your winter training plans and getting outside.

It's not always easy to bundle up and brave the elements during the off-season but I believe the items below will help.  And as always, most of these items should fit into your Christmas sock over the fireplace.  Happy holidays.

BTW: You can check out Dave's first list of perfect triathlon stuffing stuffers for or the Triathlete swimmer in your in your life HERE and his second list of stuffing stuffers for Troathlete cyclist HERE.

Video: The Ultimate Stocking Stuffers for the Triathlete Cyclist in your life (part 2)

Getting that perfect Holiday gift for the triathlete cyclist in your life is not easy...that is until today. In this video EMT contributor  Dave Erickson provides you with the top stocking suffers that will make any endurance athlete jump for joy when they see what Santa brought them.

BTW: You can check out Dave's first list of perfect triathlon stuffing stuffers for or the Triathlete swimmer in your in your life HERE.

Christmas shopping for the cyclist in the family will be much easier after looking at the items below.  In my previous article,  I shared a direct link to purchase more than a dozen items (most found on Amazon.com) to put a smile on the face of the swimmer in the family.  I also made a VIDEO for those swimming items.  As before, not everything on this list fits in a sock but most of it will.  Happy shopping!

Lets start off with something every cyclist should have, a functional bike tool.

Topeak Alien II 26 - Function Bicycle Tool ($25):  The Alien II--which is designed for cyclists who need a high-quality tool while on the road-- is housed in a clever break-apart body that makes it a breeze to find the right gadget. And with 26 high-quality, hardened-steel tools at your fingertips, you'll rarely find yourself without exactly what you need. There's even a bottle opener for post-ride celebrations.

Video of the Day: Russia sets sights on 2012 Olympic triathlon medal

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The most comprehensive list of triathlon Cyber Monday gear deals. Period

There's no doubt that everybody loves to get a great deal of triathlon gear. And today is the day to get those one-a-year Cyber Monday triathlon gear deals.

Thankfully Michael Hutto on his blog has put together a truly huge and crazy comprehensive list of Cyber Monday deals on the best triathlon gear.

If you are looking a great stocking stuffer or just something to make you faster next year...check out THIS list of today's best triathlon Cyber Monday Deals, and don't forget that most of the Black Friday deals are still going strong.

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